Catholic Pilgrimage to the Holy Land

Depart London Gatwick to Aqaba airport. Upon arrival coach transfer to our hotel in Petra where we will stay for two nights. Evening dinner at the hotel.

Today we enjoy a spectacular guided day-tour of the historic archaeological site of Petra. One of the New Seven Wonders of the World, Petra was first settled around 7000 BC, later becoming the centre of Nabatean wealth because of its strategic access to incense trade routes in the region. The majority of incredible tombs, monuments and building structures of the ancient city have been handmade by carving out the vast rock-walls of sandstone. The tour includes a canyon walk through Al-Siq (the narrow gorge or shaft) leading to Petra’s most elaborate and famous structure: Al-Khazneh (The Treasury). There will be free time at the end to explore at leisure. Those able can make the 850-step hike up the Ad-Deir trail to see The Monastery and panoramic view of the surrounding valley. Note: this is an extra 2-hour hike up and down; physical fitness and comfortable footwear is essential. We rendezvous at our hotel for evening dinner.

Today we check-out early. We make a stop to see the Spring of Moses and if desired you may collect some water to take home with you. We journey to Madaba to visit the Church of St John where we see the 6th century mosaic map depicting Jerusalem as the centre of the world, as well as the other amazing artefacts. Continue our journey to Mt Nebo where Moses stood and saw the promised land. Here we enjoy the magnificent view overlooking the Holy Land. We celebrate Mass here. Continue driving towards the border of Allenby Bridge where we cross into Israel. Our guide and coach will be waiting for us on the Israeli side. Transfer and check in to our hotel in Bethlehem. We stay here for 5 nights. Evening dinner here.

After breakfast, we walk to Manger Square - the Basilica of the Nativity - to start our walking tour for today. We first visit The Grotto inside the Nativity Church where Jesus was born, followed by a visit to St Joseph’s Grotto and Franciscan Church of the Nativity and we celebrate Mass here. We have lunch in Manger Square and afterwards we walk to the Milk Grotto and visit the Museum of the Miracles. Local bus to Shepherd’s field, visit Grottos there and visit Chapel above - where the angels first sang the ‘Gloria in Excelcis Deo’ on the night of the first Christmas. We will have a chance to do some shopping before we return to the hotel for dinner.

Early departure to Jerusalem and to the Old City (Lions Gate) and walk to St Anne’s church where Our Lady was born and the Pool of Bethesda. Afterwards continue on to visit the church of Ecce Homo where we visit the site of Pilate’s Court, Churches of the Flagellation and the Crowning with Thorns, followed by the Stations of the Cross along Via Dolorosa. Here we follow the route Our Lord walked on the first Good Friday, ending in the Holy Sepulchre Basilica - the holiest place on earth for all Catholics. We celebrate Mass here and afterwards visit Mt Calvary, the Holy Tomb of Resurrection, and the Grotto of the True Cross. After lunch, walk to Mt Zion and visit the Upper Room (last supper), King David’s Tomb and the magnificent Dormition Abbey, where Our Lady was assumed to heaven. Then on to St Peter’s in Gallicantu - a truly incredible Shrine - and visit the dungeon where Jesus was imprisoned after His mock trial on Maundy Thursday night. Dinner at hotel.

Coach to the summit of Mt of Olives, Jerusalem and visit Ascension Dome, Pater Noster Grotto where Jesus taught His Prayer, Our Father. We then walk to Dominus Flevit (where Jesus wept over Jerusalem). We celebrate Mass here and afterwards proceed to Gethsemane Garden and Basilica to view the Rock of the Agony and we spend a few minutes here for prayer/reflection. Coach to Ein Karem to visit the Visitation Shrine of Our Lady to St Elizabeth, then move on to visit the Basilica of St John the Baptist and visit the chapel where he was born. Return to hotel for dinner.

After breakfast, we travel to Jerusalem and visit the Western Wall which is part of the remaining wall around the temple that was destroyed in AD70. This is the holiest place for Jews. Continue to Bethany and visit St Lazarus’s Church, the house of Lazarus, Martha and Mary. We celebrate Mass here. Proceed to Jericho, view the Mt of Temptation and Zacchaeus’s Sycamore Tree. Lunch in Qumran or Jericho. Proceed to the Dead Sea and experience the floating in the sea. Return to our hotel for dinner.

After breakfast, we say goodbye to Bethlehem and drive along the Jordan Valley to Nazareth. Our first visit is to the Basilica of Annunciation (a magnificent Basilica that dominates the skyline of Nazareth). We visit the Grotto where the Annunciation took place, and we give you time to reflect and pray in front of the Grotto. We then move on to visit St Joseph’s Grotto and his workshop and we celebrate Mass here. Walking across the road we visit the Synagogue of Jesus and Mary’s Well. Proceed to Cana where Jesus performed his first miracles. Renewal of Marriage Vows at the Church of the Wedding. Travel to our hotel in Tiberias where we will be staying for 2 nights. Dinner at the hotel.

After breakfast travel to Tiberias to Baptismal site on the River Jordan for the renewal of our Baptismal Vows. We continue our journey to the Sea of Galilee to visit Mt of Beatitudes where the Sermon on the Mount took place followed by St Peter’s Primacy where Christ appeared to the Apostles after His Resurrection and Mass here and the church of the Multiplication. We will have lunch here and afterwards sail on the Sea of Galilee on an ancient reproduction boat during the time of Jesus and afterwards to Capernaum - the town of Jesus - where we visit St Peter’s Church and view the remains of the ancient Synagogue in which Jesus used to teach. Evening dinner at the hotel.

We check-out of the hotel and drive to the foot of Mt Tabor. We go up to the summit by taxis to the Church of Transfiguration and visit here. We celebrate Mass here and outside we enjoy the scenic view of the surrounding area. If times permits, proceed to Mt Carmel (Haifa) and visit the Basilica of Our Lady Star of the Sea - Carmelite Headquarters and visit the Cave of the Prophet Elijah. Proceed to the airport for our flight back to the UK.